Laws of Albion

The Basis of the Laws of Albion
The Pendragon Throne and Albion are One. All that the Pendragon Throne does is for the Good of Albion. Therefore the Pendragon Throne is the Law of Albion. As such any person acting with the direct authority of the Pendragon Throne is considered subject only to the Throne, and may not be held or judged by any save the Throne.
All who swear loyalty to Albion shall be Albion’s children, and they shall be subject to all the protection that She may give, so long as they follow Her Laws. Also, when Albion is threatened, by the command of the Pendragon Throne, her children will rise up to protect her, by force of arms if necessary.
Any subject of Albion who by wilful act, causes harm or intends to cause harm to Albion herself, shall be considered to have committed Treason. Should this act be against the person of the Monarch of Albion then it shall be considered High Treason. If, after due process of Law, a person is found to be guilty of High Treason they shall be summarily executed.
Any one that does harm against one protected by Albion’s Laws shall pay a penalty commensurate with the harm done.
All who visit Albion’s shores with peaceful intent shall be protected by the Laws of Albion, and subject to the same. Those whose conduct is deemed non-conducive to the Good of Albion shall be excluded from her shores by order of the Pendragon Throne.
Unliving are an abomination under the eyes of Albion Law and as such have no status within Albion and are not under her protection.
Wielders of Magic of any form are responsible for all of their Sorceries and will feel the full weight of the Law should these effects transgress any of Albion’s Laws: or cause another to do so.
Disregard or abuse of the Laws of Albion shall cause the full weight of Albion Law to be brought down on the perpetrator.
Disputes in Albion may be resolved by mediation, test of arms or trial. Both parties must be agreeable to any mediation and will swear to abide by and act upon the result. Both parties must be similarly agreeable to a test of arms, either may refuse without loss of honour. Either party may call upon a champion but once a test of arms is agreed upon neither party may withdraw. A test of arms is considered to be a combat of honour and is not necessarily to the death.
Should two persons of Albion have a dispute, that is not resolvable by other means, they should take it before one set to judge over them. In the case of freemen, squires and knights, this shall be the knight to whom they swear fealty or owe obedience. Only vassal knights or better may dispense justice, and then only to those of the same or lower rank as themselves. Should both parties accept the jurisdiction of their judge, then the judge may rule as they see fit.

Should one of the parties involved not wish to accept the jurisdiction of the judge, but the other do, then each may nominate a judge, and the two nominated judges nominate a third between them: who shall be of higher status than either. The case will then be heard by all three judges, and all three must agree in their judgement. If they cannot agree, then they may petition the Pendragon Throne for a judgement. The judge, or judges may call whatever witnesses they see fit and must listen to all witnesses provided by the petitioners. The petitioners may have at their sides advisors should they so wish. The judge or judges shall appoint the day on which the trial shall be held, so long as it be no more than a year and a day from the date of the accusation.
Should a person be deemed to be involved in unlawful activity by one who is not the victim of the unlawful activity then a complaint must be made to any in authority. At this point the accused may appoint a judge and then the High Sheriff (Or his appointed representative) shall act for Albion. The case shall then proceed as any other.
The buying and selling of justice is a betrayal of the people of Albion. A judge found to have swayed their decision because of favours offered by a petitioner in a case will be taken before the Pendragon Throne and judged.
The Land of Albion is her own, but is cared for by the Pendragon Throne. It is to the Throne to assign those who may look after parts of the land. The Throne can ask of any person of Albion to guard a part of Albion, and that person will be given the respect and privilege commensurate with their responsibility.
One measure of Wine shall be the same throughout Albion, and one measure of Ale, and one measure of Corn, that is to say, within all of Albion all goods sold will be of specific, stated and standard Weights and Measures.
All Merchants shall have their safe and sure Conduct to depart out of Albion, to come into Albion, to tarry in, and go through Albion, as well by Land as by Water, to buy and sell without any manner of evil and excessive Tolls, by the old and rightful Customs. All this except in Time of War. And if they be of a land making War against Albion, and such be found there at the beginning of the Wars, they shall be expelled from Albion without harm of body or goods or held hostage against the good will of their home land.
All sentient beings have the right to freedom unless they transgress against the Law, and no one may be held slave in the Lands of Albion. Should a slave reach the soil of Albion and request sanctuary it shall be given if that person will swear to abide by Albion’s Laws.

Justinian,

Quaesitor of Albion in good standing,

scribed April 1098